The Worldwide Spread of Museums in the 19th Century

The nineteenth century was truly the great ‘Age of the Museum’. Local authority-run museums in Britain sprang up after the 1845 Museums Act, but they were already being founded throughout the colonies of the British Empire.

This lecture will be given by Professor John Mackenzie, historian and pioneer of the study of popular and cultural imperialism and environmental history.

He will discuss why colonial museums were important, what form some of these extraordinary museums took, what they tell us about the global spread of European culture and the role this played in the development of national identities.

The author

I work in the heritage sector. In my spare time, I use ethnography to study contemporary fringe beliefs that have their roots in likely older cultural traditions.

My focus includes having a better understanding of those people who have been transformed by their experiences. My research interests are specifically linked to UFO close encounter cases, folklore and religion.

I'm also a fan of horror, fantasy and sci-fi and a PS3 vet. Not being satisfied with just watching films, I started writing poetry and short stories.